Lunch and learning

To the Community:

Greg Brown

At last Thursday’s Swarthmore Rotary Club luncheon meeting at the Inn at Swarthmore, I was fascinated by the presentation by Greg Brown, V.P. for Finance and Administration at Swarthmore College. Greg discussed the present and upcoming construction projects at the College. 

First, we learned about Maxine Frank Singer ‘52 Hall. It is named for Maxine Frank Singer; an American molecular biologist and science administrator. She is known for helping to solve the genetic code, her role in the ethical and regulatory debates on recombinant DNA techniques, and her leadership of Carnegie Institution of Washington. AND she was a Swarthmore College graduate.  

Singer Hall will eventually cover part of the footprint of Hicks Hall, which is being demolished now. What will happen to that beautiful fresco mural in Hicks Hall? Swarthmore College painstakingly peeled off the back three walls from the mural and is moving it to Tarble. Their efforts have protected the heritage of the Hall and the fresco (along with much of the stone from Hicks’s façade, to be used in future work on other legacy buildings).

Another interesting fact in Greg’s speech was that Swarthmore College administration is committed to achieving a NET ZERO carbon footprint by 2035. That’s an ambitious goal and one that we all can be proud of! 

I’m so glad I was at the meeting today. It was certainly worth my time. If you are interested in joining a club that promotes a deeper learning of our world, or would simply like to attend a meeting, email me at paevanson@comcast.net. I would be happy to have you as my guest! 

Perri Evanson
Media